US3736721A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method for making a skin package using a single film web
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1971-05-10
•
Granted: 1973-06-05
•
Expires: 1991-05-10
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus is provided for forming a skin package particularly for food products, hardware and the like in which a single film web is arranged around the product and by pressure differential is formed around the product. A pair of U-shaped chamber members is disposed to slidably engage the open ends of each other to form a sealed chamber with the film retained against or nearly against three sides of the chamber. After the film has been brought to a heated heat-sealable condition, atmosphere or low pressure air is used to push the film tightly around the product and into sealing condition with facing portions of the same film.
Inventors
- 👤 R Wolfelsperger
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 17:28
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65B; B65B31/00; B65B31/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
157 words
A method for forming a vacuum skin package from a single heat-sealable, heated film and a product including the following steps: (a) forming a film into a U-shaped configuration with a product positioned therewithin; (b) moving members together to provide a sealed chamber with the film tightly engaged between the members; (c) bringing outer surface portions of the film to a condition of reduced pressure thereby to move such surface portions into contact with inner surface portions of the members whereby to retain the U-shaped configuration of the film; (d) thereafter bringing the interior of the chamber and the product to a condition of reduced pressure; (e) thereafter exposing such outer surface portions of the film to atmospheric air to cause the film to move tightly around the product and into a heatsEaled condition with itself; and, (f) opening the chamber to atmospheric air to permit disassembly of the chamber and removal of the vacuum skin package.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
157 words
A method for forming a vacuum skin package from a single heat-sealable, heated film and a product including the following steps: (a) forming a film into a U-shaped configuration with a product positioned therewithin; (b) moving members together to provide a sealed chamber with the film tightly engaged between the members; (c) bringing outer surface portions of the film to a condition of reduced pressure thereby to move such surface portions into contact with inner surface portions of the members whereby to retain the U-shaped configuration of the film; (d) thereafter bringing the interior of the chamber and the product to a condition of reduced pressure; (e) thereafter exposing such outer surface portions of the film to atmospheric air to cause the film to move tightly around the product and into a heatsEaled condition with itself; and, (f) opening the chamber to atmospheric air to permit disassembly of the chamber and removal of the vacuum skin package.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the film is heated while in contact with the inner surface portions of the member.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the film is heated prior to being formed into the U-shaped configuration.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
43 words
The method of claim 1 wherein substantially all of such outer surface portions of the film within a U-shaped opening of one member and not engaged by another member are brought to a condition of reduced pressure and are exposed to atmospheric air.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
58 words
The method of claim 1 including the further step of maintaining at least the reduced pressure condition in the interior of the chamber and on the product while permitting such outer surface portions of the film to be exposed to atmospheric air so as to push the film around the product and into the heat-sealed condition with itself.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2565444A
Cited
US3195288A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-06-04 | 1976-12-04 | 1977-06-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-06-04 | 1980-12-04 | 1981-06-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-06-04 | 1984-12-04 | 1985-06-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |